Prepare for work - graphic design

Course Content:
The course aims to develop the skills, knowledge and understanding needed to design effective and creative page layout solutions using typography, page layout conventions and design-for-print software applications.

Different topics/units are covered each term, as follows

Unit 1: Words & Images

Topics covered in the autumn term (Sept – Dec) course include:

• Exploration of the visual relation between graphic elements: combining word and image, principles of good layout/design, use of colour, texture, perspective etc.
• Exploration of abstract and literal design solutions
• Exploration of the design work of others (ie in galleries, exhibitions as well as TV, advertising, the internet etc)
• Words and images – how they communicate a message
• Suitability for purpose
• Type and letterforms: the power of typography in communication
- Typographic conventions and terminology
- Fonts: style, size, weight, suitability for purpose
- Legibility
• Text Editing

Unit 2: Type & Letterforms

Topics covered in the spring term (Jan – March) course include:

• Exploration of the historical and contemporary developments of typefaces and letterforms
• Exploration how typefaces and letterforms communicate a message: the power of typography in communication
- Fonts: style, size, weight, suitability for purpose
- Legibility
• Exploration of the typographic design work of others (ie in galleries, exhibitions as well as TV, advertising, the internet etc)
• Typographic conventions and terminology

Unit 3: Typography & Layout Design

Topics covered in the summer term (April – July) course include:

• Exploration of the visual relation between graphic elements: combining word and image, principles of good layout/design, use of colour, texture, perspective etc.
• Creating long documents, eg magazines, brochures - planning and organising your work to maximise effective production
• Suitability for purpose
• Type and letterforms: the power of typography in communication
- Typographic conventions and terminology
- Fonts: style, size, weight, suitability for purpose
- Legibility
• Text editing

All courses cover the development and presentation of creative ideas in response to a brief. You will evaluate your own and others' work in terms of aesthetic values, innovative values, suitability for purpose and perceived audience.

This is a project-led course in which you will learn through practical demonstration, formal instruction and individual tuition, but primarily by working towards your individual design solution to a given brief.